03_luke_ditella
Hurricane Earl had sent a few days of waves our way back in 2010. It was a good run but Luke (pictured) was convinced we would see a backlash session the day after the storm passed. I was at my own surprise birthday party and he swore the waves were firing at this unnamed sandbar in Monmouth County. I have the best family in the world because no one faulted me for leaving to go shoot the sunset session. Super stoked I'm supported by loving people in my life. This image was supposed to run in Surfer. Needless to say, I was ecstatic. The East Coast editor called me and got my take on the day. I followed up with the photo editor even and it was all good until the issue came out. The photo didn't run; I was gutted. Since then it appeared in The Surfer's Path and Australia’s Surfing Life, as well as here on The Inertia… as well as Luke's Instagram account. Photo: Ryan Struck
My career is still growing, and no single image has really excelled my progress more than any other. I’ll never be someone anyone needs in this industry; there are hoards of other people out there with a camera. Instead, I just aim to show surfing in a different light.
I’m forever a student of light and still reaching further to get a better grasp of this visual journey I’ve undertaken. I don’t want to give the impression that having your photos run in a magazine is the main goal, although I used to think that for a time. Really, having your images run doesn’t mean much. I don’t need street cred and the pay won’t support me. I have discovered that I’m not out to prove anything anymore, and I don’t need the surf media to validate me as a photographer. I do love surf photography though. I love it with all my heart. I enjoy approaching it with a critical eye to make the best image possible and am always trying to succeed. These images and captions may be more anecdotal than career progressing. Hope that jives well with you all.